Voter registration for March election closes today

FARMINGTON — Nearly 75 percent of registered Farmington voters did not cast ballots in the city's last mayoral election in 2010, according to city data.

Despite that, area clerks hope more people vote in next month's election.

"I would like to see those numbers higher," said Farmington City Clerk Dianne Smylie.

The election is on March 4, and, so far, 26,751 Farmington residents are registered to vote.

Voter registration for Aztec, Bloomfield and Farmington closes today. Residents must register no later than 5 p.m. today at the county clerk's office in Aztec at 100 South Oliver Drive, Suite 200.

In Farmington, voter turnout for the 2006, 2002 and 1998 mayoral elections was also low, with only a quarter or less of registered voters in the city actually voting, according to city data. And less than 15 percent of those registered in the 2012, 2008, 2004 and 2000 District 1 and 2 elections voted, according to city data.

Voter turnout in Bloomfield and Aztec — cities of fewer than 8,000 people — has also been also low.

Bloomfield City Clerk Jamie Thomas said 380 people voted in the 2012 election; 674 in 2010; 652 in 2008, 707 in 2006; and 385 in 2004.

Aztec's City Clerk Karla Sayler said her office tallied 423 votes in 2012; 243 in 2010; 689 in 2008; 523 in 2006; and 746 in 2004.

San Juan County Clerk Debbie Holmes said the presidential elections every four years usually generate the highest voter turnout.

According to county statistics, 46,237 people voted in the 2012 presidential election. In 2012, about 128,529 people lived in the county, according to U.S. Census figures. That amounts to nearly 40 percent of people in San Juan County voting in the 2012 election.

"A lot of people think they should really vote only every four years," Holmes said.